The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 23



Only Krnovel

Episode 23

“end?”

“The reason why she acts this way. The purpose. Fate is only determined by the results of great events, and there are countless paths leading to those events. Twella is choosing one of those paths and moving forward.”

He looked at Altera. It was staring somewhere with empty eyes. Where it was, Quilbian couldn’t tell.

“I don’t know what the outcome is or what process she’s working towards. But I have to help her. That’s my role.”

“Has fate also determined your role as an ascetic?”

“No, that won’t be the case. As I said, I’m a supporting actor. So I’m just taking care of my rice bowl. Don’t supporting actors have their own uses?”

All the strength left my body.

Quilbian looked at Altera with tired eyes.

“How did the ascetic know about that fate?”

“When I was out there, I was a wizard. Not a great wizard, but a wizard who made tools and things. Then I found a book.”

“It was all written in that book?”

“Yes, that’s right. It was written in it what fate was. At first, I denied it. I thought, this can’t be happening. Then I tried to feel fate.”

Altera shook her head. It was a gesture that showed not even a trace of regret.

“I quickly realized that it was useless. Ah! I was just a meaningless creature swept away by the great flow of fate. At the same time, I realized that there are beings who can endure the gravity of fate and achieve their own results.”

“If you can’t change the ending, isn’t it useless? No matter what the process is, the ending of the story will be the same.”

“Change your perspective. The main character’s story steadily progresses toward its conclusion, but for supporting characters like us, things can be different. In some ways, that might be a good thing.”

Altera stood up holding two books.

“I have class, so I’m going now. I’ve done my part by catching you once, so now do as you please. You can go after Twella, or stay still.”

Quilbian also stood up, clutching the talisman.

“Twella already knows everything?”

“Yes. Every possible event will be in her head. She’s experienced it so many times. She might even know what we’re talking about right now. Of course, she might not.”

“What if it exceeds expectations? What if it produces results unlike anything Twella has ever seen?”

“I won’t stop you from trying. I don’t like a world full of extreme skeptics either. Just keep trying. Keep going until you’re satisfied with whatever it is.”

He asked Alter one last question as he went outside and closed the door.

“Is everything in that book that the ascetic saw true?”

“It will be like that.”

“Who is the author? Can we trust him?”

“therefore…….”

The conversation was cut off. Altera’s left eyebrow twitched. I could tell from the expression on her face. She couldn’t remember.

“You don’t remember properly?”

“I did experience memory loss. But that doesn’t change the fact that the book exists and that I have verified it.”

“It could be false. The book itself.”

“No, that won’t happen.”

“How can you be sure? The only way to prove it is through memory, and even that memory is hazy. Yes, brainwashing. Maybe that memory too… … .”

Altera opened her eyes wide. Then a nervous voice burst out.

“I admit that I have a deficit in my external memory. There may be something wrong with me because I have been in the realm of the superficial for so long. But! Don’t doubt the fact that I experienced it. Brainwashing? I solved that a long time ago.”

Quilbian grabbed the doorknob and pulled it open. Altera, half hidden by the door, was now clearly visible.

“Please answer just one more question.”

“… … What is it?”

“How did you come here, ascetic?”

“I discovered it while studying the realm of the two sides.”

“How did you become an ascetic?”

“They recognized my narc and promoted me. Why? Now they’re going to doubt me again?”

“Yes. I should be suspicious. But that doesn’t mean you’re a goblin or on the goblin’s side.”

“then?”

Just then a bell rang. It was the sound that signaled the end of the break.

Altera looked outside.

Quilbian sorted out the questions that were pouring out.

“You discovered this place on your own and came here, and of course you learned magic from goblins, right?”

“yes.”

“It’s strange. All the ascetics I’ve seen were goblins, but Altera is the only one who is human. Above all, the goblins don’t suspect you when they see you. They treat you as if you were a goblin.”

“… … I’ll organize it and tell you later. I have to go to class.”

“all right.”

Altera turned around, rubbing her forehead. Her steps across the hallway seemed precarious.

It’s not a goblin.

From the smell to the feel of it, to intuition.

Everything has revealed that Altera is human.

It’s not like I’m in league with the goblins. If it was a problem, Twella would have taken action.

If what Altera says is true, then she knows everything.

A memory that is blurry.

The fact that the brainwashing was released.

Relationship with the goblin.

How did Altera come here, what was the purpose of her remaining here, and if she was forced to stay here, what did she prepare until now?

He said it with his own mouth.

He said that he could not feel the pull of fate.

The purpose of Altera.

Depending on what it is, a lot will change in the future.

Quilbian looked down at his palm. He looked at the crumpled amulet for a moment before throwing it toward the corner of the room.

*

It’s morning.

But it was quiet.

Quilbian opened his eyes slightly and turned his gaze to the bed next to him.

Drich, who would normally be shaking out the blanket, was somehow asleep. And he had the blanket wrapped tightly around his head.

It’s common to fall asleep in an upright position like a log and wake up before the bell rings.

“Drich, wake up. It’s morning.”

I got out of bed and made the bed. I changed my clothes and even put on my shoes.

Drich was still lying down.

Are you sick?

A lump of energy that doesn’t know fatigue?

“Drich, what’s wrong?”

He went over and gently pulled back the blanket.

I saw a friend sweating coldly. I put the back of my hand on the back of his neck. He didn’t have a fever.

Ugh, Drich groaned and rolled over, then opened his eyes wide.

His blurry eyes moved slowly and looked at Quilbian.

The condition does not look good.

“Hey, wake up.”

He tapped Drich on the cheek. Only then did he flinch and sit up.

“… …Uh, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? You’re in terrible shape. What’s wrong?”

“Me? Uh, um. No. Nothing.”

Drich, who had gotten out of bed with a groan, fell over with a crash, unable to control his body like a newborn calf.

“You can’t do this. Lie back down for now.”

“No, really, it’s okay. And it’s almost morning cleaning time. You have to get moving.”

“Shit.”

Drich’s eyes widened at the word ‘shit’.

“you…….”

“Stop talking nonsense and lie down. I’ll tell the ascetic.”

“No, you’ll lose points.”

“You little brat, you really make me say harsh words.”

He pushed Drich onto the bed as if he was going to throw himself over.

“One day is fine. Since the person in charge today is Altera, I will explain it well.”

“… … Okay, thank you.”

“I’ll rest for half a day and if I don’t feel well, I’ll talk to the ascetic separately. You might need medicine.”

As he spoke, he studied Drich’s face.

I don’t think you have any body aches.

“I’m resting.”

Drich, seen through the crack in the door, had pulled the blanket up to cover his face as if he were asleep.

*

“Drich?”

“yes.”

Altera nodded, saying that she understood.

“I won’t mark it separately, so just get some rest.”

“Okay. And… … .”

“Let’s talk about what we couldn’t finish yesterday later tonight. The goblins are still watching.”

Altera said as she looked at the goblin loitering in front of the dormitory.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

I swept the white floor with a broom without stopping.

The memories from outside were gradually coming back to me. The more I thought about it, the more I disliked every single action inside.

There’s not a speck of dust, damn it.

Is cleaning a kind of seal that strengthens the magic? It may be a necessary process for brainwashing.

I rested my chin on the end of the broom and looked around.

I see students cleaning with bright smiles on their faces. Their faces don’t seem to know what worries are.

But with just one wave from the seer, they will laugh devilishly and commit violence against the person being pointed out.

Could Twella just release those kids from their brainwashing? And if she could, how would she deal with the chaos that would follow?

Quillvian looked up at the sky wall.

The dirty blue sky makes me want to curse.

“I have to get out of here quickly, before I go crazy.”

It’s understandable that Altera’s memories aren’t complete. How could you live in a place like this without going crazy?

Dang, the beating stopped at the sound of the bell.

I returned to the room. Drich was still lying down.

“Hey, are you okay?”

I tried it casually, but there was no response.

I tried to grab the blanket and pull it down… … .

“What are you doing?”

The blanket wouldn’t pull back. Drich was holding it tightly from the inside.

“Are you awake? But why aren’t you answering?”

He grabbed the blanket and shook it violently. He could have let it go at this point, but Drih held on until the very end.

“What do you want to do?”

I grabbed the blanket with both hands and pulled it off in one motion.

Drich, who had dropped the blanket, curled up like a bean worm with a loud noise.

It’s not something like a cold. I knew it the moment I saw it. It’s a psychological problem.

no way?

“Drich.”

“Leave me alone.”

“What did you think of? Huh?”

At those words, Drich raised his head. He looked at me with a puzzled expression as if asking how I knew.

“What comes to mind, tell me.”

“Oh, no. What are you talking about? I don’t know anything.”

“The Drich I know wouldn’t say he didn’t know. He’s a guy with really big pride.”

“… … .”

Drich didn’t answer, but just got dressed. He walked out of the room with a confident stride, as if he was going to prove that he was normal.

Quilbian followed Drich immediately.

“Is this different from usual?”

“I said no.”

“Drich, listen carefully. If there’s anything out of the ordinary… … .”

“Well, I said no!”

Drich ran out. To Quilbian’s eyes, it looked like he was running away.

“It’s no use running! I’ll have to wait in line in front of the restaurant anyway.”

I met Drich again in front of the restaurant. It must have been inevitable since we had to enter each dormitory separately.

“I have no problem. So don’t talk nonsense.”

Drich was very nervous.

I said it carefully because it could be dangerous if provoked.

“Okay, okay. Okay, then take the food.”

After receiving the food, he sat down. Drich just stared at the black porridge in the bowl.

I was convinced by that.

Drich also opened his eyes.

One more comrade has glimpsed the truth.

“Drich, aren’t you eating?”

“… … I have to eat.”

The tips of his fingers that held the spoon were trembling. His face also turned pale.

I can’t eat it for you. It’s a rule that you have to clean up your own plate.

Quillbian lowered his voice.

“Grit your teeth and endure it. Don’t throw up. I’ll cover for you if you frown. Just say you made a bad joke.”

Drich looked at her with trembling eyes.

“Eat it quickly. Before you get caught. It’ll suck, but it’s the best you can do. It’s okay. You can hold it in once or twice. I held it in, so you can too.”

(Continued in next episode)